Guidelines toward Mainstreaming Gender Inclusivity in the Mining Sector in South Africa

Msibi PN*, De Waal M and Mooa RS
University of Pretoria, South Africa
*Corresponding Author: Msibi PN, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Published: February 08, 2025

View Pdf

Abstract  

Background: The South African mining charter stipulates that women mineworkers need to make up at least ten percent of a mine’s core staff. Although this was intended to enhance gender equality in the sector and in the country, women mineworkers are still a minority group underground and continue to be prejudiced against. This unfair treatment may jeopardise their health when exposed to risk within the working environment.

Objective: To explore women mineworkers’ experiences of the mine’s efforts to protect them from gender based discrimination, and to develop guidelines to remove sexism.

Method: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from a constructivist paradigm. Semi-structured questions were asked to generate knowledge which assisted in developing the guidelines. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants.

Results: The findings of the study may guide mines and related male-dominated organisations to develop and implement policies, strategies and initiatives geared towards attracting, integrating, retaining, supporting and motivating women who are, or wish to be, employed in the sector.

Conclusion: The proposed gender barometer for women’s equality provides an appropriate, accessible and implementable monitoring tool for unions and management, to continuously assess the state of gender mainstreaming in mining. The proposed strategy will assist in promoting diversity and ensuring that every woman mineworker work in a conducive environment to promote health and safety.

Contributions: The study contributes to an evolving body of knowledge aimed at transforming mining and protecting the human rights of women by following a gender mainstreaming strategy

Keywords: gender policy; gender equality; gender mainstreaming; gender discrimination; health and safety

.